Turkey v France: Zidane begins France reign with Nations League test

Turkey host France in Group 1 of League A in the Nations League, with the match marking Zinedine Zidane’s first official game as France manager.

The fixture begins France’s campaign in a highly charged atmosphere in Turkey, as Zidane looks to start his tenure with victory. Both teams have named provisional line-ups ahead of the meeting.

Turkey

Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella is dealing with significant absences across the team. Playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu is unavailable, while attacking prospect Kenan Yıldız and defender Mert Muldur are also missing.

Those absences leave Turkey without several important options as they prepare to face a France side making its first competitive appearance under Zidane.

Turkey’s probable starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Ugurcan Cakır

Defenders: Zeki Celik, Ozan Kabak, Abdulkerim Bardakcı, Ferdi Kadıoglu

Midfielders: Salih Ozcan, Can Uzun, Ismail Yuksek

Forwards: Arda Guler, Barıs Alper Yılmaz, Kerem Akturkoglu

France

Zidane has made major changes to the France squad for his first international gathering compared with the group involved at the last World Cup.

The defence has been particularly affected by player withdrawals. William Saliba and Aurelien Tchouameni were already confirmed as unavailable, before late withdrawals for Warren Zaire-Emery and Ibrahima Konate further altered the squad.

Maghnes Akliouche and Leny Yoro have been brought in as replacements for the latter pair.

France’s probable starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan

Defenders: Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert

Midfielders: Rayan Cherki, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot

Forwards: Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe

The match will be Turkey’s opening fixture of this Nations League campaign, while France begin their own Group 1 schedule with Zidane in charge for the first time in an official game.

The published match odds list Turkey at 8.50 for victory, with a draw priced at 4.75 and France to win at 1.42.